Hemichalkous - Ptolemy VI

Ptolemy VI came to power as a child, with his mother Cleopatra I serving as regent until her death around 176 BC — precisely when this issue begins. The subsequent power struggle between Ptolemy VI and his younger brother, later Ptolemy VIII, destabilized the kingdom severely enough that Antiochus IV of Syria invaded twice, nearly absorbing Egypt entirely. Small copper fractions like this hemichalkous circulated at the absolute base of the monetary system, used for daily transactions that silver would never touch.

Svoronos 1408 places this type within a tightly grouped sequence of Ptolemy VI bronzes distinguished by fabric and module rather than dramatic design changes.